New York Jet apologized for late hit that ended Colts receiver Marcus Johnson's season

The Indianapolis Colts begin preparing for a home game versus the Buffalo Bills.
Clark Wade, Clark.Wade@Indystar.com

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marcus Johnson (16) celebrates his touchdown in the first quarter of their game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018.(Photo: Jenna Watson/IndyStar)

“It was unfortunate, but nothing against that guy,” Johnson said. “I had to leave, obviously, but he told one of my teammates, ‘I didn’t mean to hurt him. It wasn’t anything like that.' I definitely respect that from him.”

Nothing about the play was normal. A blocker on kickoff return, Johnson had not returned a kick all season long. He only grabbed this one because the squib kick bounced right to his chest.

Cannon was in hot pursuit of Johnson for several steps before both players went out of bounds and the hit happened.

“I guess he didn’t know if I was going to try to cut back upfield or go out of bounds,” Johnson said. “But then I looked at it on film today, and I was like two to three yards out of bounds.”

No injury comes at the right time. But this one is tougher because Johnson had been making strides, punctuated by a 34-yard touchdown Sunday. Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni confirmed Tuesday that Johnson was beginning to emerge as a talent. The Colts traded tight end Darrell Daniels to Seattle for Johnson, who had previously played under coach Frank Reich in Philadelphia, on Sept. 1.

“It’s an unfortunate situation,” Johnson said. “I felt like every week it was getting better and better, and that was my first, kind of, breakthrough moment. It’s something where I have to recover from it, fully heal and get ready when my next opportunity comes.”

K.J. Brent returns

The Colts added wide receiver K.J. Brent to the practice squad and released quarterback Phillip Walker. Brent, 6-3, 202 pounds, was with the team in training camp and waived-injured on Sept. 1. He reached an injury settlement with the team Sept. 6. He was also with the Colts in 2017, and has been on the practice squad in Seattle and Oakland.